CPB 697 RESEARCH SEMINAR
Catherine A. Alinovi,
Graduate Student in Epidemiology/Public Health
Department of Comparative Pathobiology
“In utero Infection Of Pygmy Goat Fetus With
Mycobacterium avium Subspecies paratuberculosis”
Thursday, April 19, 2007
VPTH 112
3:30 pm
Abstract:
A two year-old female pygmy goat was evaluated for pipe-stream diarrhea and thin body condition score of 1.5/5. Initial diagnostics revealed mucous membrane color of 2/5, normal fecal parasite load (one each coccidian oocyst and strongyle egg) and ravenous appetite. A fecal sample was obtained for culture of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP). The results of fecal culture indicated the goat was shedding high levels of MAP, the causative agent of Johne’s disease, in its feces. The goat quickly progressed to recumbency. The goat died and was necropsied. The doe was found to have two fetuses. Tissues from the doe and fetuses were collected for histopathological, bacteriological and virological examinations. Tissues were also subjected to semi-quantitative liquid medium culture and real-time polymerase chain reaction for MAP. The doe had granulomatous enteritis and lymphadenitis with numerous intramacrophagic acid-fast bacilli. Several macrophages with acid-fast bacilli were seen in the subcapsular sinus of the fetal mesenteric lymph node. MAP were isolated from the small intestines of the goat and fetuses. The remaining goats in the herd were sampled quarterly for MAP in their feces. Positive and suspicious (weight loss) goats were separated from negative animals; MAP-positive animals would be removed from the herd. This report documents in utero infection of a pygmy goat fetus with MAP. Johne’s disease should be on the differential list for pygmy goats with low body condition score, with or without diarrhea.